Monday, July 6, 2015

Makian Island - Attractions in South Halmahera

Makian Island - Attractions in South Halmahera

Makian islands is a small island with a width of about 10 km. There is a volcano in this island, named Kie Besi Volcano with an altitude of 1,357 meters above the sea and 1.5 km wide crater which makes Makian Island look more beautiful and interesting for those who like climbing a mountain. In the past, this island was the first residence of Sultan Bacan before moving to Lelei Island and finally to Bacan Island. Makian Island is located in South Halmahera, North Maluku province.

Makian Island is a producer of walnuts, so often referred as "Walnut Island". People usually harvest walnut trees between March and August. The size of walnuts here is four times larger than the usual size of a walnut and is one of the best in Indonesia. Walnut is often used for making cake, halua kenari (nougat), bagea kenari (biscuits), oils, fragrances, etc. Walnut is very beneficial for cardiovascular health, brain, and so on. There are also many coconut trees in Makian Island, which is suitable for quench your thirst after surrounding this beautiful island.

Makian Island - Attractions in South Halmahera
Source: Foto Ullokan
In Makian Island, there is also Fort Mauritius Ngofakiaha, with not well maintained condition and needs to be restored so the history is not lost. Fort Mauritius was built by the Governor-General Pieter Both on the coast of Makian Island, where the fort was originally named Gnofficquia or Noseca. Since December 22, 1659, along with Fort Tafasoho, level of importance of this fort was lowered as just a weapon building. Meanwhile, the semicircular defense building around the house or a new warehouse on the coast was strengthened, which later was named Fort Zeeburg. In this fort, Pieter Both held negotiations with Sangaji Makian and Sangaji Limatau who representing the Sultanate of Ternate, and successfully obtained a number of agreements such as the agreements that Muslims and Christians have the same freedom to practice their religion respectively.

Makian Island - Attractions in South Halmahera
Fort Mauritius Ngofakiaha (Source: Photo East Indonesia)

The journey from Ternate to Makian Island is about 1.5 hours by speedboat.

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